The 2025 Korea Open, a key WTA 500 event in Seoul, has been plunged into uncertainty as persistent heavy rain disrupts play, leaving players like British No. 1 Emma Raducanu and eager fans in a state of suspense. Matches, including Raducanu’s much-anticipated first-round match against Jaqueline Cristian, have been repeatedly postponed, raising doubts about the tournament’s ability to finish on time. Frustrated fans have taken to social media, with one lamenting, “Rain every day this week—how will they even wrap this up by the 21st?” The soggy courts at Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center have sparked widespread concern as the Asian swing begins, with players like Raducanu vying for crucial ranking points ahead of the WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan.
The tournament, which kicked off on September 16, 2025, faced immediate setbacks as rain wiped out most of Day 2’s schedule. Only former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova completed her match, defeating qualifier Tatiana Prozorova 6-1, 6-2 in a brief window of clear weather. Raducanu’s match against Cristian, initially slated for Tuesday evening, was rescheduled for Wednesday at 2:00 PM local time (6:00 AM UK time), but looming rain forecasts threaten further delays. “No play until 6 PM today. Can the WTA even finish this by Sunday?” one fan posted, reflecting growing unease.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion and eighth seed, arrived in Seoul with high expectations after skipping the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to focus on the WTA Tour. Working with new coach Francisco Roig, she aims to capitalize on her strong hard-court season, including a Washington semi-final and a gritty three-hour match against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati. “Asia feels like home,” Raducanu said, citing her comfort with the region. However, her decision to prioritize Seoul over national duty has sparked debate, with TV presenter Matt Roberts noting, “Raducanu’s absence from the team event was a real shame.”
The rain has also stalled other stars, like Diana Shnaider, whose match against Caty McNally was suspended after splitting sets. Matches featuring Beatriz Haddad Maia versus wildcard Dayeon Back and Sorana Cirstea versus Anastasia Zakharova also remain on hold. Organizers are racing to rearrange the schedule, with Wednesday’s play set to begin at noon on Centre Court and the Grandstand. One fan suggested, “With Beijing not starting until next Wednesday, they could push for a Monday final if the rain persists.” Yet, a tight schedule risks taxing players ahead of the China Open.
The Korea Open has a history of weather woes—last year’s event also suffered multiple washouts—but this year’s disruptions feel particularly severe. “It’s like Cancun’s WTA Finals all over again,” one fan quipped, recalling past weather-plagued tournaments. While clearer skies are forecast for Thursday and Friday, Wednesday’s rain threatens further setbacks. For Raducanu, who could face Krejcikova in the second round if she beats Cristian, the delays heighten the pressure on her closely watched campaign. Her focus on tour points over national duty has amplified scrutiny, with fans eager to see if she can shine.
As players like Krejcikova, Shnaider, and Haddad Maia endure the wait, the Korea Open tests their resilience. For Raducanu, it’s a chance to prove her mettle and validate her choices. With the tennis world watching, the question lingers: can the WTA overcome the rain-soaked chaos to crown a champion, or will the weather win?
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